2017-2018 ANNUAL REPORT
DEAN'S MESSAGE
The 2017–18 academic year was one that brought substantial change and new initiatives to the College of Environmental Design.
Four faculty members retired while three new faculty members were successfully recruited after a national search. After eight exceptional years, Tom Buresh stepped down from chairing the Department of Architecture, with Renee Chow taking on this role. After more than four years, Louise Mozingo stepped down from chairing the Department of Landscape Architecture & Environmental Planning with Elizabeth Macdonald assuming this position. Staff retired or went off to new opportunities too, while new staff joined the College — most notably Jennifer Sang, Assistant Dean for Finance and Administration.
We continued to recruit exceptionally talented and diverse students across all departments and majors. At the undergraduate level, CED had the campus’ highest percentage of low income, underrepresented minority, first generation, and international students. Graduate students continued CED’s long record of winning professional awards and design competitions. And generous donors created new fellowship and scholarship opportunities that help keep CED accessible.
Our new Master of Real Estate Development + Design program was launched in the summer with 16 students in its inaugural cohort, and we’re currently developing a Master of Design program in collaboration with the College of Engineering which is now under review. We also offered our first Global Leadership Program in the spring, a two-week intensive course for 20+ housing specialists from Maharashtra State in India, as well as our first Global Access Program for international undergraduates joining CED for a one-semester experience of life in the College.
Again, thanks to our generous alumni, three studios were renovated, newly remodeled Rooms 170 and 172 opened for classes and seminars, and the new Real Estate Development + Design program moved into a newly renovated and attractive space. Both Rice & Bones Café and the lovely Ong & Ong Plaza opened, providing both extraordinary fare and a popular place for eating, talking, and holding informal meetings for students, faculty and community members alike.
Although there were ongoing challenges, including the university’s budget deficit, we were able to overcome them through careful attention, analysis, and hard work which brought new revenue to CED. With this new revenue, the College was able to meet financial targets set by the university. While this will be an ongoing challenge in the years to come, CED is positioning itself to be able to generate more revenue through self-supporting degree programs, executive education and fundraising from alumni and friends of the College.
I am grateful to CED’s entire community, their contributions to the College and campus and their many outstanding accomplishments. Better for all their efforts, CED is forging ahead!
Jennifer Wolch
William W. Wurster Dean
Professor of City & Regional Planning